TLDR?
Holding steady while we refocus on developing core programs.
Aperitif, anyone?
The above TLDR (Too Long, Didn't Read) sums it up in a pretty straightforward manner, but also speaks to the essence of what we've been working on over the last couple years. While there hasn’t been any significant new events at NKSF to catapult us to where we’d like to be, we’re putting in the fundamental work to get us there.
Last year we took stock of the service we wanted to provide the community, narrowed our focus, and set to it. We decided to direct our attention to two primary internal efforts for the foundation;
Establish and document standard policies and procedures to ensure longevity,
And focus our fundraising, programming, and relationship building efforts toward our core purpose
We did a little soul searching in this vein, and emerged with newly revised mission and vision statements built from the values established by those who have worked so hard over the previous two decades to make the North Kitsap Schools Foundation a recognizable service in support of North Kitsap education.
Mission:
NKSF forges partnerships to lift the learning experience in North Kitsap schools.
Vision:
A North Kitsap community united on behalf of its students.

With an essential strategy defined by our mission statement, and the goal of our vision, NKSF can set its course through whatever challenges and changes our community may face going forward. Our updated and continuously evolving website provides more detailed information and expanded versions of our mission and vision statements.
Grounding ourselves in this way also sets us up for establishing sound policy and procedures and staying focused on sustainable core programs.
Let’s Dig In!

Our 2024 financial data doesn’t have any big surprises or terrifying shortfalls. Directing our focus on our core fundraising campaigns has shown some gains, and as we work on those fundraising programs we tapped a little extra expense to develop some framework.
Income; The Veggies
Income | 2023 | 2024 |
Individuals | $43,732 | $30,661 |
Businesses | $7,821 | $12,267 |
Service Clubs | $7,528 | $6,934 |
Tribes | $5,000 | $2,500 |
Scholarships | $2,600 | $3,204 |
Investments | $6,969 | $14,362 |
Other | $99 | $0 |
Total | $73,750 | $69,927 |
Growth | -5.18% |
Individual Donors
This number is a combined total of fundraising campaigns consisting of teachers helping each other through the district payroll deduction program, the annual Kitsap Great Give, and other sustaining donors and one-time donors who contribute throughout the year.
NKSF’s fundraising programs have already begun to show some hints of growth. Our individual donors who make up the largest portion of our revenue saw a larger spike in 2023 due to the one-time, but highly successful, Lemolo Wine Walk fundraising event (raising just over $14,000) managed by the incomparable Carol S. Glad. This school year’s Honor Roll of Business Partners saw some growth with redoubled effort, and although area service clubs and tribal foundations diminished slightly due to understandably tighter belts, the negative difference in overall revenue was minimized to less than $4,000.


Expenses; The Protein
Expense | 2023 | 2024 |
Grants | $90,336 | $80,964 |
Scholarships | $3,000 | $2,500 |
Fundraising | $5,219 | $6,952 |
Operations | $962 | $937 |
Total | $99,517 | $91,353 |
Growth | -8.20% |
Expenses shifted similarly, but in the other direction. We put a bit more into fundraising expenses as we develop some standard procedures and timelines for our fundraising campaigns and invested in reusable promotional materials.
An important note about our grants program is that the amount we award isn’t always entirely spent by the teachers receiving the grant awards. The close relationship that NKSF has developed with the school district over the years has established a trust that we are grateful to be a part of.
NKSF awarded slightly over $99,000 in grants to NKSD educators during the 2023-2024 school year, but because of this trust relationship we only had to pay out just under $81,000. That remainder goes right back into our budget for our 2024-2025 grants program, a clear sign that our district and our teachers are also looking out for us and our donors to get the most out of the funds raised on their behalf.


A Little After Dinner Chat
Our 2024 financials currently show our scholarship program’s finances, but this year will be the last year NKSF will manage scholarships. The Don L. Johnson scholarship is being taken over and managed by Don’s family, and the Poulsbo Kiwanis Club has agreed to manage the Alice Wood scholarship. It was a difficult decision to shutter the scholarships program, but in narrowing our focus it is crucial that NKSF’s classroom grants program continues to fulfill our mission and drive us toward our vision.
2025 should be another year with steady development of our core grants program. We’re planning to start getting feedback from NKSD teachers, staff, and administrators to refine the grants application and management process. We also have plans to revive a fun community collaboration with local restaurants, and refine our sustaining donor program.
Stay tuned for updates on our progress throughout the year!
Comentarios